In brief: Real estate investors continue on ESG path

Real estate investors continue to incorporate ESG into their portfolios. Industry-led organisation GRESB’s global real estate benchmark saw a 20 percent growth in adoption in 2022. Covering up to $6.9 trillion of general asset value globally, the benchmark recorded a 30 percent growth in Americas and 16 percent growth in Europe, respectively, according to an announcement.

While the average scores for both GRESB’s Standing Benchmark – the benchmark covering fully built properties – and the Development Benchmark increased, there were dips in performance improvement scores such as energy, GHG emissions, water and waste reductions due to the industry’s return to pre-pandemic operation levels. Sebastien Roussotte, chief executive officer at GRESB, said he was proud to see “real estate industry deepen its commitment to ESG transparency and sustainability”.

• Further reading: Inflation issues raise the threat of ESG neglect in real estate